Science - Models and Designs

Skills and Goals:

Students will understand:

1. Scientists develop and use models to explain how different systems work.
2. Scientists/engineers collaborate, gather data, and construct models to design products.
3. Simple machines are used to make work easier.
4. Friction and other forces can affect the speed, direction and movement of an object.

Students will know or be able to:

1. A model is a representation or explanation of a system.
2. Conceptual models can be communicated through numbers, words and drawings.
3. Electrical devices need a complete circuit in order to work. (Gr. 4 connection Electricity and Magnetism Unit)
4. An object’s motion is affected by forces.
5. Simple machines make work easier. (Gr. 2 connection Systems and Interactions Unit)
6. Design is a product and a process for figuring out how to construct something.
7. Systems can be designed to perform specific functions.
8. Engineers collaborate to find solutions to problems using the be able to… (Students will be able to DO.. skills, procedures, processes)
9. Develop conceptual models.
10. Communicate models through written and oral discussion and drawing.
11. Construct physical models to compare to conceptual models.
12. Modify models based on newly discovered evidence.
13. Organize and assemble components to make a physical model.
14. Compare peer models.
15. Apply engineering process to develop rolling carts.
16. Design systems to meet specific function. (ie. humdinger)
17. Stages of the engineering process:
    • IDENTIFY PROBLEM
    • BRAINSTORM
    • DESIGN
    • BUILD
    • TEST & EVALUATE
    • REDESIGN
    • SHARE SOLUTION

18. Changing one variable at a time makes results more valid.

19. Levers, wheels and axles are simple machines.

20. Friction can affect the movement of an object.